What keeps mobile in ageing? A comparison of balance, physical activity and social integration between 60- to 80-year-old healthy people who regularly dance, do sports or are active in everyday life – a cross-sectional study / Was hält im Alter mobil? Gleichgewicht, körperliche Aktivität und soziale Integration im Vergleich zwischen 60- bis 80-jährigen gesunden Personen, die regelmäßig tanzen, Sport betreiben

Abstract

Abstract Background Physical and social activity can influence positively the effects of ageing. This study examined differences in balance, physical activity and social integration between everyday active, sportive or dancing 60- to 80-year-old people in Lower Austria. Materials and methods We recruited 50 seniors with a mean age of 66.8 ± 4.2 years for this cross-sectional study. 13 people were active everyday, 21 were sportive on a weekly basis and 16 were “Seniorentanz” dancers. We blindly assessed balance (MiniBESTest), mobility (Timed Up and Go), and muscular endurance of knee extensors, hip abductors, and plantar flexors. Questionnaires identified physical activity (IPAQ-SF) and social integration (LSNS-6). The analysis of group differences was carried out descriptively and via ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results People who were regularly active in senior dance showed 5.5 points significantly higher balance ability in the MiniBESTest than those who were otherwise sportive (p = .002), and 7.5 points significantly higher balance than people who were active in everyday life (p = .006). According to the IPAQ-SF, athletes were by 4515 MET-min/week significantly more physically active than people who are only active in everyday life (p = .003). Social integration or other parameters did not differ between groups. Conclusion The small sample, the heterogeneity of the participants and differences in the contextual conditions of the measurements limit the validity of the results of this study. The results of this Lower Austrian sample could indicate differences in balance and physical activity between everyday active, sportive or dancing ageing people.